Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-26
ANOTHER IHrERgsrIsa CEREMONY
AT ROME YESTERDAY.
The American Primate Takes Formal Pos.
session Of His Titular Church
Papal Bull Of Assignment.
10y Anglo American cable to tho Dispasch.I

net. The canOns belonging 70 the
church, and students of the American
College in Rome. wearing SUPPLIES,
were waiting for the Archbishop. Stu
dent Shickri, OF Cincinnati, was cross
bearer, and the acolytes, carrying can
dies, were Students Doherty, of Balti-
more, and Shea, of Cincinnati. Bishops
Keane, of Richmond, Va, and Water
son, Of Columbus, Ohio, were with the
canons waiting. Student Re0rdon, OF
Baltimore, bore the crucifix. Cardinal
Gibbons, when he approached the
church, was accompanied by Right
Rev. John Ireland, bishop of st. Paul,
Mimi, and by the master of ceremo-
MES, Marucci, and others. The
Cardinal, after kneeing, kissed
the crucifx, which was presented to
him by a canon wearing cape. The
Cardinal then put on his beretta, and,
so covered, placed incense in the thin
bic He then again barred his head,
took the aspersorium from the canon,
who had presented the crucifix. and
signed himself with the sign of the
Cross; then, replacing the beretta, he
asperged the people present with holy
water; after which he again removed
his beretta and was thrice incensed by
the canon, the choir mean while sing
ing the andiphon, So cce SdcredOs
Ndgnus." After being thus in
censed the procession moved to
the altar, followed by the Cardi-
nal, who blessed the people as he
went to the altar. The blessed Sacra-
ment was administered and all knelt
for short time in prayer. The process
sion next went to the high altar. There
the Cardinal knelt and the Canon
recited the Pater Noster and other
prayers. In the apse, a throne, with
white back and crimson canopy, had
been placed. The Cardinal seated him
self on the throne, the bishops and
priests in attendance being seated about
him. The prothonotary, Monsignor
Perieole, thereupon read in Latin the
papal bull assigning the Church Santa
Maria, in Trastevere, to Cardinal Glib
hons as his titular church. This
bull was long document and
recited at length the nature of
the assignment, of the government,
custody, and the annexed privileges OF
the Basilica. After the reading of the
bull the canons went forward to the
throne and all but the chief canon
knelt and kissed the Cardinals hand.
the Cardinal rising to receive the chief
canon for the kiss of peace-ad Oscutum
pdcis.
An address from the canons to the
Cardinal was then read in Latin by
Canon francesca Ardiuni. 1t was of
great length.
To this Cardinal Gibbons, remaining
seated, responded with an eloquent adj
dress. His voice was strong and ring
ing. Each word he said was distinctly
heard, although he spoke under the
disadvantage of being seated behind
the altar. His voice rose towards the
conclusion of his address, which was
pronounced magnificent.
CARDINAL GIBBONs's ADDRESS.
ne HSFlCuIUtut 10 ms ny hub IOlJ VI
this beautiful Basilica as my titular church,
fills me with feelings Of Joy and gratitude,
which any words Of nline are wholly made
quate TO express. For as bore In Rome etand
within the first temple raised in honor OF tho
ever Blessed Virgin Mary, 10 in my far-oh
home my own Cathedral-church, the Oldest In
the United States, Is also dedicated 10 the Mo
ther OF God. This venerable edliico In which
we are gathered leads US back in contemplation
to.the days OF the Catacombs. Its foundation
was laid by Pope Calixtus in the year of our
Lord 2A. II was restored by Pope Julius In
the fourth century aud renovated by another
supreme pOntif In the twelfth. That never
ceasing solicitude which the sovereign pontins
haze exhibited In erecting these material tom
pies. which are the glory Of this city, they have
also manifested on larger scale In rearing
spiritual walls 10 Zion throughout cnristen-
dom in every age. Scarcely were the United
States Of America formed into an indie
pendcnt Government when Pope Plus
VII. established therein Catholic hierar-
chy, and al appointed the illustrious John Carroll
first bishop Of Baltimore. Our Catholic COM
munity in those days numbered only Few
thousand souls. and we're scattered chiefly
through the States OF New York, Pennsylvania,
and Maryland. They were served by the
merest handful OF priests. But now, thanks 70
the fructifylng grace OF God, the grain OF mus
iard-seed then planted has grown 10 large
tree spreading IT'S branches through the length
aud breadth Of our fair land. Where only one
bishop was found In the beginning OF this CEN
fury there are now seventy-dve exerising
spiritual Jurisdiction. For this great progress
we are indebted, under God and the fostering
care of the Holy See, TO the civil liberty wO en-
10y I'm our enlightened republic.
Our Holy Father Leo KILL, in his luminous
encyclical on the constitution OF the Christian
States, declares that the Church Is not com
mitted TO any particular form OF civil govern
ment. She adapts herself to all; she leavens
oil with the sacred leayen OF the Gospel; she
has lived under absolute empires, under con-
stitutional monarches. and In free repub-
lies; and evsrywhere she grows anu
hampeTed in her divine mission. She has
even been forced 10 struggle for existence
wherever despotism has cast her dark shallow
like plant shut out from the blessed sun
light OF heaven; but in the genial atmosphere
of liberty she blossoms like rose.
For myself as q citizen OF the United States
and without closing my eyes 10 our short
comings ss a nation, say With a deep sense OF
pride and gratitude that ] belong TO
country whose civil government holds over
out interfering with us In tho leSitl-
mate exercise % our sublime mission as
ministers Of the Gospel Of Christ. Our COM
try has liberty without license and authority
without despotism. She rears NO wall TO OK
clude the stranger from coming among us.
she hasfew frowning Notifications to repel the
invader, for she IL AZ peace with ell tho world.
She rests secure In the consciousness OF her
strength and her good win toward all. Her
harbors are open TO welcome the honest emil
grant who comes 10 advance his temporal in
terests and lind peaceful home. But, while
we are acknowledged 10 have free
Government, perhaps we do not receive the
credit that belongs 10 US for having also strong
Government Yes, our nation IS strong, and her
strength lies under the overriding guidance Of
Providence In the majesty and supremacy OF
law, In the loyalty Of her citizens, and in the
affection Of her people for her free institutions
There are indeed grave social problems now
engs ging the earnest attention OF the citizens OF
the United States, but have no doubt that With
Gods blessing these problems will DO solved by
the calm Judgment and sound sense OF the
American people, without violence or reyolu-
ton, or any injury 10 individual rights. AB an
evidence OF his good will for the great republic
In the West. and as a mark Of his appreciation
OF the venerable hierarchy Of the United States,
and as an expression of his kind consideration
for the ancient see Of Baltimore, our Holy
Father has been gracionsly pleased 70 elevate
its present incumbent, In my humble person,
10 the dignity OF the purple. For this
mark OF his exalted favor j beg TO
tender the Holy Father my profound thanks IN
my own name and In the name OF the clergy
and the faithful. | venture 10 thank him also
In the name OF my venerable colleagues, the
bishops as well a. the clergy and Catholic laiiy
Of the United States. l presume 20 also thank
him In the name OF our separated brethren IN
America, who, though not sharing our faith,
have shown that they are not insensible-in-
deed, that they are deeply senslble-of the
honor conferred upon our common country,
and have again and again expressed their
warm admiration for the enlightened statos-
manship and apostolic virtues and benevolent
character Of the illustrious Pontif who now
sits In the chair OF St Peter.r
The choir now effectively rendered
the TIC De,m set to splendid music, az
ter which the Cardinal went forward TO